You have
now learned to sit still
in a comfortable, balanced posture and to breathe
naturally, which allows the pond to become clear and
still.

Keeping this in mind as you sit, you may find yourself
less prone to restlessness. When the body is motionless,
it doesn’t
create so much of the physical sensations which stir
the mind. Whatever arises, relate openly to it in
sitting —take
each experience as just itself, neither judging it,
clinging to it or trying to get rid of it.

That said, please remember
that your stillness is a source of wisdom.
Don’t make zazen into some sort of
contest, with points awarded for technical
skill and points deducted for poor technique.
Each moment, just sit as yourself, without
comparison to some real or imagined ideal
other.